Caafimaad 360: Turning Data into Dialogue for a Healthier Somalia

The Challenge: A Nation Data-Rich but Dialogue-Poor

Somalia faces a critical health information crisis. While data and research on health challenges exist, they are often locked away in complex, inaccessible formats, published in English, or confined to short-term, one-way campaigns. This creates a pervasive void where harmful myths spread faster than credible information, and the voices of Somali health professionals and the public are absent from the conversation. The result is a broken feedback loop: data is published, but meaningful public dialogue and debate on health priorities do not follow.

Bridging the Information Gap with Data Translation

The current health communication landscape in Somalia is often one-way and relies on fragmented short-term campaigns, which leave persistent gaps in reliable information and allow harmful myths to spread rapidly. Caafimaad directly addresses this crisis by providing a permanent, trusted, and always-on platform.

We are committed to empowering every Somali with credible, accessible, and culturally relevant health knowledge to make informed decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.

• Translating Complex Information: We exist to translate medical science into clear, actionable guidance. This includes publishing clear articles in Somali and English summarizing health research and providing practical, evidence-based advice.
• Accessibility and Understanding: Our core value of Accessibility focuses on breaking down barriers of language, literacy, and technology to ensure all segments of society are reached. Complex data and research are converted into short, easily understandable messages to facilitate public comprehension and informed decision-making.

Creating Spaces for Meaningful Dialogue and Debate

Caafimaad employs a comprehensive, multi-channel strategy to ensure that information flow is not just one-way, but a dynamic, two-way dialogue where the general public and stakeholders can negotiate and have open discussions on health priorities. Our work is Community-Centered, actively soliciting feedback to ensure content relevance to real-world concerns.

Key pillars of our strategy to facilitate debate and negotiation include:

• Public Forums & Town Halls: We host virtual and in-person events that provide communities with direct access to health experts for dialogue and Q&A. These events create safe spaces for discussion and allow for the negotiation of meaning from health data.
• Interviews & Podcasts: We produce engaging audio and video content that builds trust by featuring both Somali health experts and community members. This amplifies the voices of Somali health professionals and advocates.
• Targeting Key Stakeholders: We tailor our content to serve distinct audiences crucial for health dialogue, including the Community, Policy makers, Somali Professionals, Somali Diaspora, and Humanitarian Actors.

By transforming data into clear guidance and creating spaces for open discussion, Caafimaad is building a future where evidence-based health dialogue is a part of everyday life in Somalia.